Market research

Fresh papayas market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh papaya market in Eastern Africa opened the period at 325.7 thousand tons in 2018, supported by supply chain expansion after Kenya Papaya Products Limited secured certification to list products in formal retail and recruited over 500 farmers. However, the market contracted to 285.9 thousand tons in 2019 as the sector faced policy challenges highlighted by the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya, including multiple taxations and trade restrictions that hampered competitiveness.

Market volume showed modest fluctuations between 2020 and 2022, edging up to 290.4 thousand tons and 291.3 thousand tons before a sharp decline to 240.6 thousand tons in 2022.

A recovery to 270.6 thousand tons occurred in 2023, coinciding with Dole Food Company's launch of new organic papayas, signaling rising global demand for healthier options. By 2024, key influences included a steep rise in import and export prices, new sea freight logistics deals to support exports, and ongoing disease threats like papaya ringspot virus affecting cultivation.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production fresh papayas in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of fresh papayas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Eastern Africa produced 293.3 thousand tons of fresh papayas, showing a modest increase of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 288.3 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 327.7 thousand tons. The most significant drop happened in 2019, when production fell by 12.0%, whereas the largest growth was observed in 2018 with a 9.2% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.2%	(12.0%)	1.7%	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports fresh papayas from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Fresh papaya exports from Eastern Africa grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 3 024 tons, representing a strong gain of 13.1% over the prior year. However, over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 10%, averaging an annual decline of 3.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 2 248 tons, which also saw the sharpest fall of 33.1%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 18.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(33.1%)	18.9%	13.1%	(3.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the primary destination for fresh papaya exports from Eastern Africa in volume terms, accounting for 51.0% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's fresh papaya exports in value terms expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 3 216 thousand US dollars worth of fresh papayas, up 4.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value surged by 118%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 29.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	80.7%	15.6%	4.4%	29.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and France dominated the value-based export structure for fresh papayas from Eastern Africa, together making up 80.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports fresh papayas to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Fresh papaya imports into Eastern Africa declined for the third year running. In 2020, imports stood at 207 tons, remaining largely unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 33.2%, with an average annual decrease of 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.2%)	(26.9%)	(0.4%)	(12.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa emerged as the leading supplier of fresh papayas to Eastern Africa in volume terms, representing 6.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of fresh papaya imports into Eastern Africa rebounded. In 2020, imports totaled 375 thousand US dollars, showing a slight increase of 2.8% year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 timeframe, import value fell by 22.9%, averaging an annual drop of 8.3%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 364 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the steepest decline of 24.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.2%)	(24.1%)	2.8%	(8.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, South Africa and Malaysia were the top sources for fresh papaya imports into Eastern Africa in value terms, jointly accounting for 40.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io